Cherry 64 - 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible

Trino Made Sure That This Sweet '64 SS Project Was Something Special From The Beginning.

By LRM Staff, Photography by Reinaldo M. Robinson

Lowrider, September 01, 2008

There's no substitute for experience, and that's as true in the world of lowriding as anywhere else. Trino Alfaro of Tracy, California, has been lowriding since he was a teenager, and his years of building cars, selling one to buy another, have provided him with the expertise to pull off a first-class cover car. His "Cherry '64" Chevy Impala SS convertible is the perfect vehicle for Trino to pursue his two favorite interests: building lowriders and cruising lowriders.

Trino made sure that this sweet '64 SS project was something special from the beginning. "I came across the car through Tony Parker and O.G. Rider," he tells us. The car wasn't anything special at the time, other than an authentic '64 SS convertible. "I started from scratch," Trino remembers, "with rusted quarter panels and floors."

After some four years of work, much of it done himself along with friends and fellow New Style Car Club members in his garage, and expenses totaling close to six figures, Trino can roll up proudly next to any car on any boulevard or car show floor. The '64's show record is impressive. Trino has taken home First and Second Place trophies from some of the most prestigious shows on the West Coast, including Lowrider Magazine Tour dates, L.G. Productions shows and "anywhere else" it appears.

Being a veterano of the scene, Trino knows that "it takes a team to win." First and foremost, he thanks his wife (and co-owner), Deserie, along with their kids Carmen, Melissa and Trinidad. Trino also appreciates his friends, fellow New Style C.C. members and all of the talented automotive craftsmen who labored on his car, along with his employer, Steve Grove at Green Valley Transportation. You all helped make this Cherry '64 the sweetest anywhere.

Engine/Drivetrain: The '64 was given new life thanks to a 2000 Chevy 350-c.i.d. candy block built up and given the "chrome treatment" by Pete at Bonander Pontiac in Turlock, California. Quiet Masters Mufflers in Modesto, California, did an excellent job on the awesome exhaust system.

Body/Paint: The candy House of Kolor cherry red finish was applied by Leo Osuna at home in Tracy, but not before Trino and "Hoser" at Classic Customs in Stockton, California, molded and prepped the quarter panels, hood, fiberglass trunk compartment and fenders. "Carrio" at Delgado Brothers in San Jose, California, used a steady hand and his finest brushes to put down the pinstriping, while the murals, including some beautiful girls under the hood ("hood rats?") and on the underside of the trunk lid, are the work of Freddie Alfaro at Alfaro Airbrush in Los Banos, California. Robert at Moreno's Plating in Fresno, California, made sure that the generous amount of chrome found on the car is of the highest quality, while Keith at River City Gold in Rancho Cordova, California, was the go-to guy for the gold. Gold leafing on the side moldings was handled by Ochoa Brothers Customs in Stockton.

Interior: The leather interior with the original stitching was handcrafted by Martin at Castillo's Upholstery in Modesto.

Sound System: Rockin' a convertible requires certain audio system characteristics and Chris West at Turn It Up Stereo in Tracy nailed 'em with a Kenwood head unit/DVD player, and Arc Audio everything else, including chrome amps.

Setup: Sinister Wire Wheels has expanded their operations to include Sinister Hydraulics, also built with the same stringent quality, so Trino had no trouble dropping in a four-pump Sinister setup with four dumps, four switches, eight old school Ford solenoids, four Sears DieHard batteries and chrome tubing. Trino also molded and reinforced the X-frame chassis.

Tires: 5.20 Premium Sportway

Wheels: 13-inch gold and chrome Sinister wires

See all 6 Photos

By LRM Staff

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